Former Top Gear host Chris Harris has praised TikTok train enthusiast Francis Bourgeois, describing him as an “extraordinary human” as the pair launch a new series together. The show, titled Francis Bourgeois and Chris Harris: We Saved a Train, premieres tonight (April 7) at 9pm on Quest.
The programme follows the duo as they work with volunteers at the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway in Scotland to restore a diesel locomotive. Francis has invested his own money into the project, which aims to get the train running for its first outing – a tour to Inverness and Lochalsh. The venture fulfils a lifelong dream for Francis, whose great-great-uncle helped preserve the railway line in the 1960s.
Speaking during promotional duties, Harris said: “If you were going to investigate theatre, you'd want a great director of theatre and if you're going to investigate film, it'd be great to have Scorsese. I've got the Scorsese of trains guiding me through it, his knowledge is off the dial.” He added: “I think I learn something new every time I meet him. He's a pretty extraordinary human being in all the right ways.”
Harris also addressed the authenticity of Bourgeois’s persona: “The question I get asked the most is 'Is he really like that?' and the answer is yes, yes he is. That's him, this is not an act.” The pair first bonded about two years ago after a collaborative YouTube video, and their friendship deepened during the restoration project.
Harris reflected on their unlikely connection: “This is a show you don't have to like trains to watch. The train is incidental... This is about a trip between people that are massive age differences, that on paper shouldn't like each other.” He added: “I'm a bit of a curmudgeon. I've said to so many people I don't need anymore friends, I don't want anymore friends, but I've sort of found one and I'm rather glad that I opened my mind to it really.”
Francis Bourgeois and Chris Harris: We Saved a Train airs weekly on Quest from April 7 at 9pm.
